Lark Force Tour

Join us on this amazing PNG adventure retracing the steps of Lark Force. We will pay homage to the men of Lark Force, mostly men from the 2/22nd Battalion, 1400 Australian soldiers who went to Rabaul in 1941 to fight the Japanese.

Be there for the 71st Anniversary of the sinking of the Montevideo Maru a highly significant and much over-looked event in Australian military history.

The dates for our Lark Force 2013 Tour are as follows:

29 June - 12 July 2013

(South Coast Rainforest Trek to Tol Plantation, 71st Anniversary Montevideo Maru Commemoration service at Bita Paka War Cemetery, Rabaul on 1st July)

Our Lark Force Tours comprise a 14 day package, including 2 nights at Rabaul and attendance at the service on the 1st July, then a 9 day “South Coast” rainforest trek from Rabaul to Tol Plantation and return travel by boat’ and vehicle back to Kopoko and 3 days sight-seeing around Rabaul.

Itinerary

Day 1

Fly to Port Moresby and connect to Tokua Airport, Rabaul, East New Britain Province. On arrival, transfer to Rabaul Hotel for accommodation and meals.

Day 2

Local tour around Rabaul, including visit to Matupit (Tarvurvur) volcano (provided it is safe to do so).

Day 3

We visit Bita Paka War Cemetery and attend the memorial service for Australian Prisoners-of-War (POWs) who died in Australia’s greatest tragedy at sea, the sinking of the Montevideo Maru. Vehicle transfer to Arabam, near the headwaters of the Warangoi River, 30 km southwest of Kokopo. We meet the local porters and guide. Everyone walks to Maranagi village, crossing several creeks and stay in village guesthouse for the night.

Day 4

All walk to Rigel village, then to Lamingi to view Father Meirhofer’s grave, then south-east towards Adler Bay. Each morning, porters will show trekkers how to clean and cook any animals caught in traps or fished from rivers and demonstrate the gathering and safe cooking of wild fruit and vegetables each meal time. We will view the Imperial Japanese Army positions en route to Mt Uragi. We will camp near the upper reaches of the Merai River.

Day 5

Before Mt Uragi we cross the Merai River in its higher, less powerful reaches. “Flotation” using back packs wrapped and tied loosely in tarpaulins or tent-flies and other safe methods for trekkers to cross rivers will be demonstrated. We continue south east to the Arrakus Creek area and make camp by clean water.

Day 6

We continue walking south east to Mt Uragi (the 975 metres feature) and make camp by clean water.

Day 7

We walk to Adler Bay village on the South Coast, at the furthest end of the road from Kokopo and make camp.

Day 8

We cross the headland after Eber Bay and walk along the coastal track to Kuluraka, taking care with the deep creek mouth at Murim Creek. We arrive at Karong village and make camp.

Day 9

We walk the coastal track past Jammer Bay and continue to Marunga village where we will set up camp. We visit Fr Bart Advent and request a ‘banana-boat’ ride for tomorrow.

Day 10

We visit Tol Plantation, meet the local villagers and visit the Tol Memorial.

Day 11

We return to Adler Bay by banana-boat, for vehicle transport back to Kokopo and back our hotel at Rabaul.

Day 12

We visit Bita Paka War Cemetery and the possible site of the former German WWI radio station near Bita Paka. We drive to Vimy Plantation with the Imperial Japanese Army underground hospital. Dinner at Rabaul Hotel.

Day 13

Local tours around Rabaul, including visit to the Vulcanological Observatory and walk up onto North Daughter. Dinner at Rabaul Hotel.

Day 14

Depart Rabaul Hotel at 5AM for Tokua airport. Fly to Port Moresby and back to Australia.

Inclusions

• Experienced Australian Guide
• Return airfare Port Moresby to Rabaul (Tokua)
• 5 nights twin-share accommodation at hotel in Rabaul
• Transfers from Tokua airport to Rabaul
• Group porters for 9 day trek from Rabaul to Tol Plantation
• 9 days trekking food
• Visit to Tol Memorial
• Boat transfer from Adler Bay to Tol Plantation
• Vehicle transfer from Alder Bay to Rabaul
• Day trips to Vimy Plantation with the Imperial Japanese Army underground hospital, Vulcanological Observatory and walk up onto North Daughter and Matupit (Tarvurvur) volcano
• Visit to Bita Paka War Cemetery and attendance at the memorial service to commemorate the 71st anniversary of the sinking of the Montevideo Maru and the greatest Australian tragedy at sea.
• Personal porter
• Communications and safety equipment including Satellite phone
• Public liability insurance

Exclusions

• International airfare to Papua New Guinea (PNG)
• Travel visa to PNG
• Hotel meals, drinks, phone calls or any other personal expenses
• Personal travel insurance

Available on Request

• International airfare to Papua New Guinea (PNG)
• Personal travel insurance
• Single supplement surcharge

Click the following link to read more about Lark Force: Rabaul 1942

Click here to read about our Lark Force Tour in August 2011